Farm Tough Girl
Chapter 545 - 545 546 Helplessness_1

Chapter 545: Chapter 546: Helplessness_1 Chapter 545: Chapter 546: Helplessness_1 “What the Emperor needs is not a true fairy, but a woman who can win his favor. Raised by Madame He since you were young, you were prepared to enter the palace. You possess the necessary strategies in mind, but more importantly, you have the desire to outshine Lady Rong, which she does not. A true fairy cannot survive in the palace.”

Muniang’s tone grew colder, and He Fangfei immediately understood that it wasn’t enough to just win the Emperor’s favor to secure one’s place in the palace, it also took cunning.

Based on what Muniang was saying, it seemed that Chen Yuhua, having grown up in a common family, comfortable and unaware of the need for guile, would not last long in the palace, a delicate Xiaohua that would perish within days.

Actually, there was another reason that Muniang did not reveal: Chen Yuhua would definitely not want to enter the palace. If it had been earlier, out of gratitude for Muniang’s kindness, she would have complied with Muniang’s wishes even if unwillingly, but now it was different. With Zhong Yulang in her heart, even if she entered the palace reluctantly, she would still be longing for him, eventually becoming vulnerable to manipulation, bringing disaster upon herself and others.

Naturally, Muniang was not so foolish as to send Chen Yuhua into the palace.

“I trust you, and that’s why I’m giving you this opportunity. But you’d better prove you’re worthy of my trust. Madame He must have already taught you much on other matters, so I don’t need to elaborate. Now, with such little time left, the only thing you have to do is to learn humbly from Chen Yuhua how to become an ethereal Fairy. Your appearance is good, not common but not too dazzling. With my help in dressing you up, you’ll be able to match her,” said Muniang solemnly.

He Fangfei nodded vigorously, “I understand.”

In the blink of an eye, a month had passed. The Emperor had already set out, this time traveling by water route on a luxurious ship. The list of the retinue also reached Yu Ze, and aside from the Empress and the four consorts, the Emperor actually brought only Lady Rong with him.

To be precise, aside from Lady Rong, the other women were probably just for show.

“It’s said that the Emperor will be staying at Rong Mansion. Although it’s a private inspection and the people of Qinghua City are unaware, it’s still against convention not to stay with the Magistrate. This time the Emperor truly shows favoritism towards Lady Rong. Looking at this, one might think he’s visiting just to accompany Lady Rong back to her parental home,” Yu Ze shook his head.

Even Muniang couldn’t help frowning, “This Emperor is far too useless, letting a woman have such a hold over him. What kind of person did you actually help ascend the throne back then?”

Yu Ze said helplessly, “His Majesty, when he was the Crown Prince, had mediocre talent but was sufficient to be a sagacious ruler. Had he not been so mediocre, he wouldn’t have been so suppressed by Prince San. Back then, I thought giving him the throne was a very good choice. Although he was suspicious, he could still become a monarch who sought the welfare of his people. In the end, I miscalculated a step.”

Muniang looked up, “What do you mean?”

“Muniang, the Daqian Dynasty is not in an era of peace, and a wolf is lurking, eyeing us voraciously. However, the Emperor’s capacity only suits an uneventful reign, someone like Nangong Qian is an adversary he cannot contend with.”

Muniang’s eyes widened, “You mean, the person behind the Rong Family’s alliance, is indeed Nangong Qian?!”

Yu Ze’s expression also turned cold, “I had originally thought that he’d set aside his ambitions for the throne for a while, but it turns out his reach had extended to the Emperor. The Rong Family is his pawn. And now, even though we know this, it’s of no use. The Emperor is besotted with Lady Rong, any slip, and a wise ruler can become a foolish one.”

Muniang’s heart sank, considering Yu Ze’s predicament, she felt helplessly that if Yu Ze had claimed the throne for himself back then, confronting Nangong Qian head-on, he might not necessarily have lost. But Yu Ze, averse to that position, yielded it to another, and now to such an incompetent Emperor, creating obstacles for Yu Ze.

“Since this inspection was proposed by Lady Rong, she must be planning to use this chance to deepen the Emperor’s suspicions against me and dispose of me. Therefore, this time, we must be cautious.”

Muniang pursed her lips before saying, “She should be more concerned about herself first.”

Yu Ze naturally knew what she meant. “Muniang, how certain are you?”

“Eighty percent.”

In fact, it was even more. Muniang had long since had Yu Ze’s people investigate Lady Rong’s temperament—extravagantly indulgent, her allure made people constantly harbor sinful desires. But having been alluring for a year, the Emperor was still a man; wouldn’t he want another woman to satisfy his other tastes?

The strategy Muniang had arranged for He Fangfei was exactly opposite to Lady Rong’s approach. If the Emperor indeed took an interest this time, that would be considered a perfect success.

Meanwhile, the Rong Mansion was shrouded in deadly silence; Mr. Rong sat high in his seat, with all the ladies and young misses of each household gathered, each face painted with an expression of terror.

Rong Liming, in particular, had turned as pale as a ghost.

“Have you all clearly remembered what I said!?” Old Mr. Rong’s tone was extremely authoritative, exuding an undeniable sense of command.

Everyone shivered and hastily replied, “Clearly remembered!”

“I’ll say it again, this matter concerns the foundation of the Rong Family. If Lady Rong is graced with Royal favor, the Rong Family will rise to the heavens. Conversely, if anyone dares to trip up Lady Rong’s steps, never mind what will happen to Lady Rong, even I! will not let you off first!”

Rong Liming was so frightened that he nearly fell off his chair, his face taking on a look as if he had seen a ghost.

Old Mr. Rong felt a shiver of disappointment as he looked at him—what a spineless thing!

Rong Liming looked up at Old Mr. Rong and Lady Rong, thinking about the words they had instructed him earlier, his heart had already cooled by half, slowly filling with dread and alienation.

As winter gave way to spring, and all things revived, the Emperor’s steps also reached the shore along with spring.

As the Emperor’s “esteemed” Guard leader, Yu Ze naturally could not be absent, and he personally greeted the Royal arrival.

Muniang was by his side, watching the Emperor, dressed in plain clothes, on his private visit.

Eunuch Li, bustling about, sent people to moor the boat and then sycophantically followed by the Emperor’s side, ready to help him ashore. But the Emperor, in high spirits, simply leaped onto the shore.

Eunuch Li promptly exclaimed, “My lord, what agility!”

Muniang secretly rolled her eyes, finding it speechless.

Then, what came into view was a beautiful woman wrapped in light gauze emerging from inside the boat, identical to the one Muniang had seen in the painting before, only half of her face was covered by the gauze, leaving only a pair of charming eyes visible on the outside, as if one glance could hook your heart.